“Okay. See you tomorrow.” Beth hangs up.
I turn my attention back to my homework.
Eighteen
“Just going to the beach, Dad.” I call out as I reach the front door with my Chinese lucky cat backpack slung over my shoulders.
“Okay, Pumpkin. Have fun.” Dad calls from the kitchen.
I close the door and find Jessica waiting at the bottom of the steps.
“Don’t you have work?” I ask as I hop down the steps.
“Day off.” Jessica says and smiles expectantly at me.
“Uh, uh. No way, Jess. You’re not coming.” I say and hold up my hands as I walk past her.
“Oh, come on. I won’t get in the way.”
“I can’t let anyone know who I am Jess. You don’t have a costume and you’re not bulletproof.” I remind her as she follows me.
“No one will know me there.” She pleads.
“I’m sorry Jess, but I can’t allow it. I’ll see you when I get back.” I say and kiss her on the cheek.
Then I take off along the streets like a rocket, leaving Jessica to moan to herself far behind me. I head south and soon cross the river.
I skid to a stop after a couple of seconds near a grassy park area, and see the others are waiting. They’re already dressed in their costumes. Mitchell and Paul are leaning against an old beaten up station wagon, which might have been yellow at some point in its life, but was now a rusty orange color. I roll my eyes as I notice Paul’s costume. He looks like the Phantom of the Opera, only instead of a white mask he’s wearing a Zorro type black eye mask.
“Nice cape.” I remark, and smirk as I take off my backpack.
“Thanks.” Paul says and nods towards Stuart. “See, capes are cool.”
I hear Stuart chuckle as I grab my costume and get changed in a nanosecond. I remove my contacts last, and then put my pale pink glittery eye mask on.
“Nice costume, Stuart.” I say as I slip my backpack on and secure it in place.
“Thanks.” Stuart replies.
Stuart‘s wearing what looks like a custom-made unitard. It’s an Azure blue from neckline to ankles, with a white lightning bolt down the middle of the chest. He’s wearing white Reeboks with blue detail. On his head he’s wearing large skiing goggles that are also blue, which hides most of his face. He flashes me a grin as I walk past.
I then notice three black youths lying unconscious on the sidewalk.
“What the hell happened?” I ask.
“Oh, these boys?” Mitchell asks in his muffled voice, from inside his black and red motorcycle helmet, and nods down at them. “They were about to shoot each other when we arrived. I’ve no idea why.”
“So we stripped them of their weapons, and made them take a nice nap.” Paul adds.
“Oh, Paul, why the white gloves?” I ask as I try not to laugh.
“Hey, no names. I’m Warlock, remember.” Paul says, and then waves his hands and makes a pose, throwing back his black cape with red lining.
Where did he get that costume, Toys R Us?
“Right. No real names from here on out. Now, you’re Warlock.” I say and point to Paul.
“I’m Volt.” Stuart says and grins.
“Right. I’m I-Spy.” Beth says and places her white-gloved hands on her hips.
She’s in her white catsuit with matching white eye mask.
“Shall we?” Mitchell’s deep muffled voice asks from his helmet as he opens one of the car doors.
“Oh, we’re going in that? I thought it was just abandoned.” Beth asks.
“Climb in, and I’ll carry you all.” I say, and wait for them to climb in and close the doors.
“Eww, this stinks. Did something die in here?” I hear Beth moan from inside.
I chuckle as I step behind the station wagon and crouch down.
“Hold on to something.” I call out.
“Hey, that doesn’t mean me.” I hear Beth protest and slap someone.
“Sorry. Geez.” I hear Paul moan.
I grab the rear fender and lift gently. It groans and creaks, but the car remains intact. I push up, and then scurry forward until I’m in the middle. I notice two iron rings, which look like they are recent additions. Probably Mitchell’s handiwork. I grab one with each hand and stand up, holding the station wagon above my head. I kick off, and rise slowly into the afternoon sky.
Beth, I’m going to need directions, okay?
‘No problem. Turn right and fly towards the freeway.’
I turn right and fly forwards. I’m still climbing when I hear some music coming from above. They must have switched on the radio.
Hey, Beth, turn it up.
Soon, there’s soft rock music blaring out, and I smile as I head into the clouds and fly south. I raise my legs and arrange myself horizontally as I hold the car above me. I try and nod my head to the music, but bang my head on the car above me. Instead, I just sing quietly as I fly us south.
After a few minutes I hear Beth again.
‘Okay, Britney. Make a turn to your right.’
About ten songs later, I hear Beth again.
‘Make a left, please.’
Hey, where are we?
‘Oh, we’re near the Grand Canyon.’
Really? Cool. I want to take a look.
I slow down and start to descend. The brown terrain far below starts to take shape as I fly lower. After we’ve descended a few thousand feet, I can begin to make out a small thin ribbon of blue, so I follow it as I get closer. We were now only a few thousand feet up, and I can see the canyon below start to open up. The sun is directly overhead now, and I can just make out the shadow of the car far below like an ant, as I fly westwards and follow the canyon. I pitch forward and fly lower, and soon pass the canyon wall on my left, as we descend into the canyon itself. The floor of the canyon is like an old cowboy movie, sparse rocks here and there, and small tough wiry bushes dotted about. The dirt looks more red than brown, and from a distance it reminds me of a margarita pizza, with the red soil, which reminds me of tomatoes, and the yellow and brown dirt with small green bushes, which look like herbs on top of the cheese.
Mmm, pizza. I had had a good lunch before I left, but I had worked up an appetite again. Hmm, maybe we should eat first? I fly higher and clear the canyon, and shock some tourists as I head west.
How much further is it?
‘Not far. You see that freeway down there on our left. Just follow that.’
Okay.
I climb higher until the road is a thin line below us, and follow it. The terrain doesn’t change much on the way to Vegas, and we’re so high up that I don’t even know that we’re over Las Vegas, until I hear a squeaky window being lowered, and Paul’s voice call out.
“We’re here. Find somewhere to land.”
Las Vegas. We’re here.
I find a small airfield near The Strip, and land near a hangar. I lower the front of the car and then step backwards, feeding the car through my hands until I can lower the rear of the car. The doors open, and everyone climbs out.
“Hey. You can’t park that there!” A man’s voice calls out from somewhere.
“Let’s boogie.” Paul says, and then vanishes in a blur.
Everyone follows, and so I take off and fly after them as they race towards The Strip. They skid to a stop on the sidewalk near a casino, and so I swoop down and land next to them. We all jump as a rollercoaster roars by above us. The name on the casino is The Venetian.
“Is this the place?” Paul asks.
“No. It’s The Bellagio we want.” I reply and walk along the sidewalk.
I notice a huge M with lots of lights on it.
“Hey, who’s hungry?” I ask.
“You’re serious? Go in there dressed like this?” Paul asks.
“You better get used to people looking at you.” Beth says and nods to some people, who are already milling around and taking photos.
“Hey, Mom. Mom! That’s Cosmic Girl!” A you
ng boy shouts excitedly as he tugs on his mom’s skirt.
“Cosmic Girl?” A man in khaki shorts and a white vest says, and then I hear the click of a dozen cameras.
I turn around and wave.
“Hi.” I say, and then rise up from the ground and fly slowly over the sidewalk, as the others walk quickly beneath me.
I fly over the seven lanes of traffic and land outside the McDonalds as the others skid to a stop next to me. I take a deep breath. Here goes.
“I’ll wait outside guys.” Mitchell’s deep muffled voice says beside me.
I look at him, and he taps his helmet.
“Oh, right. Can I get you anything?” I ask.
“Quarter pounder with cheese.” Mitchell replies, and steps to the side as we head towards the door.
I walk up and open the door, and the smell of burgers and fries hits me like a warm hug.
I hear gasps, and more than a few chuckles as we head to the counter. There’s a line of people, so we wait our turn, while people take photos and point at us.
“Dude, what are you supposed to be?” I hear a guy ask behind me.
“I’m Warlock.” I hear Paul answer confidently.
“What’s a warlock? Oh, I thought you were supposed to be Zorro. Dude, where’s your hat?”
I hear Stuart smirk as Paul protests.
When I get to the counter, the girl doesn’t even miss a beat.
“What can I get you, sweetie?”
“Two quarter pounders, no cheese, and a quarter pounder with cheese, and a large regular Coke.” I ask.
I pay, and take my tray and find a bench seat near the window. I tuck into my first burger, while the others order and sit down.
“Man, did you hear that guy? The bloody cheek.” Paul grumbles, and then bites into his Big Mac.
“I told you the cape was too much.” Stuart says, and takes a sip of his pop.
“It is hard to take you seriously, wearing that.” Beth says, and then takes a bite out of what looks like a chicken burger.
Paul almost chokes on his pop.
“How can you say that, when he’s sitting there in a unitard?” Paul replies and gestures to Stuart with his burger.
“Yeah, but he looks cool.” Beth replies, and I can see Stuart grin as he listens. “While you look like you’re off to the opera, or something.” Beth adds.
A chuckle escapes from me as I try to chew, and I end up spraying tomato ketchup on to the table.
“Oh, great. Now you.” Paul grumbles as he looks at me.
“Sorry, Warlock. I did warn you about capes, though.” I say and take a sip of my Coke, before I start laughing again.
“I like capes.” Paul grumbles and takes another bite from his burger.
I start on my second quarter pounder, when I notice a crowd gathering outside. I see people taking photos of Mitchell as he stands outside and waits for us. He turns our way, and shrugs his shoulders.
“Come on guys.” I say and quickly finish my burger and take another sip from my Coke.
“Has Mitchell ever seen you eat like that before?” Paul asks as he gets up.
“Like what?” I ask.
Paul shrugs. “Nothing.”
I put my trash in the bin on the way out, and carry Mitchell’s quarter pounder with cheese and the drink outside. The noise from the excited crowd is pretty loud when I get to Mitchell. I look around for a quieter spot.
“Meet you up there, okay?” I shout at Mitchell, and point to the roof of The Mirage casino, which is on the opposite side.
He nods, then takes a step back and then leaps into the air. Watching him leap a few hundred feet in the air gives me a thrill. The spectators gasp, and people take photos. I rise slowly up into the air and follow him. I see him descend rapidly and land on his feet, and crouch. He stands up and turns as I glide down to him. He sits down and removes his helmet. He’s grinning from ear to ear.
“That was great. Wow, can you jump?” I say and hand him his burger.
“Landing’s a bit hard though.” He says and takes a bite out of his burger.
I sit down next to him and cross my legs, and take a sip from my Coke before offering it to Mitchell.
“You just need more practice.” I say and chuckle as he rolls his eyes.
‘Where are you guys?’ Beth’s husky voice asks inside my head.
On top of The Mirage. We’ll be down in a minute.
I take another sip when Mitchell passes me the Coke again. He finishes his burger, and then stands up.
“Shall we?” Mitchell asks, and then puts his helmet back on, and straps it in place.
I wrap my arms around him from behind and kick off from the roof. We fly over the main thoroughfare, and I stop and hover as I look down. Now, where are they?
Ah, there they are. I see them outside Caesar’s Palace, and they seem to be arguing.
I swoop down and set Mitchell down, and walk over.
“It wouldn’t be cheating.” Paul is saying.
“Of course it’s cheating.” Beth replies.
“Just a few hundred dollars. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Shut up. I’m not doing it.” Beth replies.
“Okay, guys. Remember why we’re here?” I ask.
“Umm, why are we here?” Stuart asks innocently.
“We’re looking for Tony Bardino. Dino Costello said that we can find him at The Bellagio.” I reply.
“So what does he look like?” Paul asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. Come on, let’s go. We’re drawing a crowd.”
“I wonder why that is.” Paul mutters as he follows me along the sidewalk.
We pass a few fancy sports cars on the way to The Bellagio, and I can almost hear Paul drooling behind me. Stuart came alongside me.
“What do we know about this Tony Bardino?” Stuart asks quietly.
“Only that he knows some nasty people, and paid Dino Costello to arrange the kidnapping.” I reply.
“He could be anyone.” Stuart says as he looks around at the people who pass us.
“I-Spy can help hunt him down.” I say, and cross my fingers.
“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Beth asks from behind us.
“We were just wondering if you could help find this Tony Bardino.” Stuart replies as Beth catches up with us.
Beth takes out her cell phone from the inside of her left boot, and starts tapping away.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Googling him.” Beth answers as she types. “Ah, there you go. He was arrested in 1995, for conspiracy to kidnap a governor’s daughter. He did 10 years. Here’s a picture of him when he was released.” Beth shows me her cell phone.
The photo is of a middle-aged man in a smart blue suit coming down some steps with a thin taller man in a charcoal grey suit. The thin man is carrying a briefcase, so he was probably his lawyer. The middle-aged man in the blue suit has a small amount of black hair on his head, mostly around his ears. He looks happy, and has a big smile on his round face. So, that’s Tony Bardino, huh? I pass the phone to Stuart.
“Hmm, he looks quite proud of himself, doesn’t he?” Stuart says, and passes the phone to Paul as he catches up.
“So, we’re looking for an old fart in a blue suit?” Paul asks.
“The Bellagio is not far.” Stuart says and points. “It’s just up there.”
There are so many people on the sidewalk, it’s difficult to see very far. So, I’ll take Stuart’s word for it.
There’s so much noise, from the crowds as they talk excitedly and point at us, noise from loud music being played on external speakers somewhere nearby, and some strange booming, which also sounds close by.
Mitchell passes me, and begins walking quickly in front. People back away and make room for him, as he strides along the sidewalk in front of me. We follow in his wake, and quickly find ourselves near some trees. We stop and look up at the famous dancing fountains outside The Bellagio. The fountains are weaving to and f
ro to Dean Martin’s, Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?
We make our way to the entrance and head inside. Wow, the lobby is amazing. The floor is marble, a soft creamy beige color, and the tiles have some intricate vine type designs on them. It’s very pretty. There’s a seating area in the center of a large ornate rug close by. The ceiling is vaulted, and is stunning to look at. In one location there are flowers protruding from the ceiling. They’re obviously fake, but they’re still very beautiful. The place smells of money.
“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” I hear Paul say behind me.
“We’re too young anyway.” Beth says.
“Cool. So you would have gone for it?” Paul asks.
I turn and see Beth smile mischievously, and then walk past me to look up at the multi-colored glass flowers. Two men walk over, wearing black pants and burgundy jackets. Both have one hand by their belt.
“Excuse me, sir. But no helmets are allowed. Take it off, or you’ll have to leave.” The older man says politely, but firmly.
Mitchell looks at me and shrugs his shoulders.
“I’ll wait outside.” Mitchell says sadly in his deep muffled voice, then turns and walks outside.
Cosmic Girl Rising Up Page 17